The Price of a Mile -A WW1 forum game

[bakerydog]

The Battle of Mons Day 2, Elouges​

August 24th 1914

During the middle of the night Sergeant Moresby had somehow escaped German patrols and made it back to British lines. In the process though some of the pickets had shot and him and one of them connected, Moresby had been shot in his side. When the picketss retrieved him after identifying him he was sent to the field hospital which the II Corps currently manned. When they arrived to the hospital he found a worrying sight, Holliday was wounded but he appears to be doing fine for now and Haig was also doing comparatively fine with bandages all around his legs. During the night most of I Corps had barely gotten any sleep as they needed to dig into their positions at Elouges. Elouges was a small Belgan town that faced away from another bridge with limited openings to get down to the bridge except one main road and a few side roads. The way from Mons had been straight down the road to Elouges but after Elouges it is just mostly countryside into France. The positions were dug in as effectively as possible given the current situation with the German army marching down the road to greet them in the morning. There were a lot of wounded though especially in the Northamptonshire where most of everyone had been wounded in some way. At about 10:00 AM the German barrage started to hammer down on the makeshift defense around and inside Elouges.

This time most of the shells from the German artillery missed their mark and light casualties were suffered by thankfully no one from the Northamptonshire was wounded as in the previous battle. At around 11:00 AM the German troops began to march down the road to Elouges to finish off the I Corps which they had beaten pretty badly the previous day. Most of the German guns were now brought up and troops were marching across the bridge at Mons in droves. The British artillery with the help of pickets and couriers fired accurate shots at the German column causing immense disorganization and delayed their advance for a little while. Finally at 12:00 PM German troops started to arrive but the attack did not begin until 12:30 PM. The German troops started to march into the town and into the center where most of the British were held up and the Northamptonshire was as well. The machine guns were placed behind sandbags and Private Smythe was using one of them due to the wounded Haig who could not participate in the battle. Many of the Northamptons like Privates Davison and Wood had difficulty using their rifles but they could still shoot the advancing German troops. Private Priddy was one of those who had to have someone help aim the rifle for him due to his wound. The attack came down hard upon the beleaguered men but it was an easier defense than at Mons yesterday. The machine guns had were those of the II Corps that were loaned to them but they were doing an excellent job.

Though the casualties started to happen as soon as the Germans got sufficiently organized for a true assault. The German troops charged their positions en mass but due to their sheer numbers in such a closely packed space they could not stop them. Davison and Wood could not fight well in the mass melee and both ended up as casualties with bayonet wounds in every other place. The medic Edwards had dragged them to the back of the line and made sure the orderlies had gotten them safely out of the battle area. Back to the line the Germans were starting to crush the British line with their mass but with heavy casualties. Corporal Tenenbaum and Lance Corporal Smith were having a tough time of it, they were bringing down Germans left and right but they could not turn the battle. Both ended up with minor bayonet wounds as they were retreating across the bridge to the rearguard which was stationed by II Corps and where the field hospital was located. Private Stark in the mean time had provided some covering fire for the retreating British troops along with Smythe who stayed on his machine gun for as long as possible before destroying his and retreating across the bridge. Though Smythe had been lucky in the earlier battle he was not so lucky now. After the retreat from the bridge Stark had looked for him but he was no where to be found so he just retreated along with the rest of the men. II Corps was ready for battle now and ready for the rearguard action to stop the Germans.

When I Corps had retreated II Corps took up positions to the south of Elouges and dug into their new positions. The battle had been hard fought but the momentum of the German army could not be stopped right now. Many of the men from I Corps were now overflowing the field hospital with bayonet wounds. The currently most life threating wounds came from the Northamptonshire, Woods and Davison were stabbed in the abdomen a couple of times but the severity was unknown for the moment. Though a doctor might say that they could die at any point in time of infection or just because of the wound. The Northamptons dung in along with what remained of I Corps and prepared for what may come the next day, the battle ended combat wise at 7:00 PM. A general retreat had been started at the Mons and now would most likely continue well into September until the British could reach French lines with the time given to them to prepare for the worst of the German army. The war was already starting to look like it might end at Christmas, intense fighting had been started but this would not be the end of it. For now I Corps can rest until the next day in which they will have to fight once again against the Germans.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

OOC: This will obviously be the most short-lived character I have ever played.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

OOC: Sudden death after 6 days. Not bad, although no surprise. I guess this teaches everyone, that a game needs a proper concept.

 

[bakerydog]

It's not dead just gathering ideas and waiting for IC...

 

[Revan529]

Private Fightmaster sat down, his back against the front wall of the trench, and began to clean his sword; in the din of explosions, the barking commanders issuing orders to timid soldiers, and the final death rattles of those unfortunate to stick their head out of the earth for an instant too long, the young man sat their stoically, his eyes never once leaving his blade. He never flinched as the shell landed only metres from him, nor stirred when the soldiers desperately rushed past him. It was only when he heard a nearby officer shout the dreaded news that the krauts were charging did he raise his eyes. He quickly grabbed his gun and looked down its iron sight and scanned the foggy, broken field that lay between the two forces. He waited until he saw the first shadows began to appear in the mist and the smoke... and held his breath.

He aimed right for the figure closest to him, and squeezed the trigger with the slightest touch... his eyes darted leftwards as soon as he saw the shadow fall to the blasted ground.

 

[baboushreturns]

One morning Haig awoke to the sight of two new patients being moved into the hospital. He saw Davison and Wood being carried to the back of the tent and worried. He knew he'd have to return to the front soon and the sight of his comrades in such a condition did not do much to lighten his mood. He prayed that he'd be safe in the coming battles.

 

[tonkatoy5]

Holliday woke up in a medical tent. Above him was a nurse whom was speaking in a tongue he didn't know, french maybe, his chest felt like someone had taken a knife and dug out a chunk of his flesh then poured a mix of vodka and salt in the wound. Though by far his greatest wound was the feeling of disgrace he felt from abandoning his unit, and he knew when he got back the strength to hold a gun, he'd be back fighting with them, till then he may as well collect some goodies from the nearby town to barter with when he gets back.

 

[Fingon888]

Name: Warren Akehurst
Role: Soldier
Rank: Private
Traits: Wistful, Patriotic
Experience: N/A
Equipment: 1 Lee-Enfield Rifle, 10 clips of ammunition, personal affects
Bio: Born in Belfast in 1896 to an English father and an Irish mother, he spent his days playing with his sister in the pond or doing chores for his mother while his father worked in the factory. He grew up with a great love for the United Kingdom and for Ireland's place in it. He planned on joining his father in the factory when he turned sixteen and he did. After two years though, war broke out on the continent and the United Kingdom would be fighting in it. Warren rushed to join the army so that he could fight for his country like he always wanted to.

 

[bakerydog]

The Market before the Battle of the Marne​

All men have received their daily salary (pretty much your starting amount was your starting pay) and now it is time to shop at the various places the Corps stopped at during the retreat from Mons.

The current market:

A small knife (+5% to battle efficiency) 5£
A gold colored pocket watch (+1 to battle expertise) 10£
Various reading material (+1 to Strength, +1 to Speed) 20£
A bottle of wine (+5 to speed, -2 to Strength, can only be used and bought once) 40£
A bible (+3 to Speed, +3 to Strength while the bible is still had) 10£
A book of German to English translations (+2 to Strength, +2 to Speed, but if you are captured still with it higher chance of escape somehow) 70£
Some French baguettes (+5 to battle efficiency, -1 Speed) 20£
Some antiques from an antique shop (for this PM me what exactly you'd be looking for and I will find something for that) varying prices

With the retreat over the past month there has been little time to tend to the wounded until after battles and during battles. But Corporal Haigs legs have healed rather nicely with little to no infection in his wound, Holliday however had been rather slowly recovering but nonetheless will be available for the next battle. The other wounded men have all healed up rather nicely despite fighting during the retreat. It is only a few more days to the next battle, which may or may not determine the fate of France.

GM note: I will update your guy's stats soon with the new pay and all then put down prices.

 

[baboushreturns]

William limped out of the field hospital and bought a bible then, returned to the field hospital to do some reading.

 

[EasternBloc]

With only a small bayonet wound, Smith was able to reach the market without troubles. He looked in one of the shops and saw a pocket watch and a small combat knife. Smith was particularly interested in both, as with the pocket watch he would easily know the time anywhere, and a small trench knife could prove useful in a close-combat situation. Smith opened his wallet, seeing he had exactly 50£. He talked to the shopkeeper to see if the money he had was enough.

 

[Fingon888]

Warren arrives in the town and the antique shop catches his eye. Going into it he finds an old Belgian flag. After asking the shopkeeper about it, Warren is told that it was first raised in the Belgian Revolution and was used by the Belgian Army for many years. It found its way into the shop somehow. Warren asked the shopkeeper if it was for sale and the shopkeeper said he would part with it for 10 pounds. Warren hesitated for a moment as that was all of his money, but he decided that he had to have it. He paid the shopkeeper and headed to his unit.

 

[aedan777]

Mostly recovered from his wounds Moresby travelled to town to buy materials and whatever he thought would be helpful. The first thing he saw in the shop was an antique sword from the time of Napoleon. The Shop owner claimed it belonged to Marshal Ney himself, but regardless of that accuracy it was a fine sword. always with an eye for history and skilled craftsmanship Moresby decided to buy the sword.. He also bought a small knife to augment his equipment, giving him a fighting chance against bayonet wielding enemies. He also bought a small gold pocket watch that caught his fancy and a worn, but well kept Bible, to read and provide him with guidance through these trying times. This would cost him 95 pounds out of his 100, but Moresby decided that it was well worth the price.

 

[Stuckenschmidt]

Howard stepped out of the hospital. Incredible to still be alive. He must have had a guardian angel, that the Kraut did not hurt the liver. Nevertheless a part of his guts were gone. It did hurt a lot and the Doc had said, that there is a chance, that he would feel some minor ache for the rest of his life. He got some pills for the next days.

He walked slowly toward the camp of his unit. When he reached his tent he realized, that almost nobody was there. When he asked a pal, he learned that there was a market going on. For a few seconds he thought about going there too. then he looked at the few pounds he had and decided, that he needed nothing at the moment.

He laid down on his plank bed and began to take a nap.

 

[bakerydog]

The market has now closed. (Update will be up over weekend)

 

[bakerydog]

Sorry for the double post but the updates have been pushed back to Thanksgiving weekend when I can get a player health system in place.

 

[esemesas]

Name: Tom Watkins
Role: Rifleman
Rank: Private
Traits: Seaman, Opportunist
Experience: 1/10
Equipment: 1 Lee-Enfield Rifle, 10 clips of ammunition, bayonet, personal affects
Bio: Born in 1891 in Birmingham to a housewife mother and a salesman father, Tom took neither the calm and content nature of his mother nor his father's gentlemanly stature, leaning more towards mischief and physical activity. Due to his mother's sickly disposition, he was an only child. Although his parents had hoped he would grow up to be an educated and respected man, Tom, much to their displeasure, was always drawn by the sea. What stated as a job in a small fishing vessel at the age of fourteen turned into a few years of hard work on a transatlantic steamer. Stronger, older and wiser, he returned to his birthplace in late 1913. Tom reconciled with his parents somewhat, just in time to see his mother wither and die a few weeks later. Heartbroken, but not defeated, he spent most of 1914 working odd jobs, until he decided that he could not handle sedentary life. Without much thought, he enlisted in the army, hoping that the conflict brewing across the Channel would bring excitement back to his life.

 

[bakerydog]

You will be added tomorrow, welcome to the group!

 

[bakerydog]

Double post again, due to the health system not arriving the update will be up tomorrow, sorry guys.

 

[bakerydog]

The Battle of the Marne Days One and Two

September 5th 1914,


Following the retreat from the Battle of Mons and the surrounding area the French army and British Expeditionary became disorganized through the retreat despite order being maintained by the troops. The retreat through the month of August breded some discontent between the Generals of the 5th French Field Army and the British Expeditionary Force. General Lanrezac and Sir John French bickered with how the retreat should be done but eventually both armies continued the retreat until ordered to stop at the Marne. Meanwhile the German Armies had stopped when the Entente armies had stopped but the Germans had a hole in their lines. The break was noticed by Reconnaissance planes flying over the German lines to look at the newly established German lines. Both the French higher command and the Expeditionary Force agreed that it should be imperative to push back the Germans before winter came around and the lines stalled. Though the troops were for the most part exhausted some parts of the line were better off than the other parts. Before the battle equipment that was new was given to the troops as well as more ammunition for the upcoming battle. Around a Million men were estimated to be on both sides in the battle but most of the British High Command expected a 60% casualty rate for the Expeditionary force in the assault. Unlike Mons the Germans are on the defense with rudimentary trenches and defenses but much higher on morale and in well being so far. The German army had learned to adapt to new warfare so this time they were ready for Industrial age warfare.

About 8:00 AM in the morning the British barrage began to fall on the German lines, the barrage was mildly infective due to the German defenses. The Germans gave a counter barrage on the light trenches the British Expeditionary Force and the French Fifth Army had constructed. This barrage was much more devastating more likely owned to the huge guns the Germans employed with them. The artillery scored various hits on their lines and especially hit I Corps where the Northamptonshire was currently emplaced on the center part of the line once again. A German artillery shell hit near the main trench where the platoons were stationed, when the dust had cleared Corporal Haig had looked over and saw Private Smythe somehow in front of him on top of the machine gun pit. Pulling him over Haig had learned he had dressed up as a civilian and crossed over through German lines during the night and made it back over the month. Haig quickly called Edwards over who noticed that Smythe had shrapnel in his back and immediately sent him back behind the lines to the field hospital where the numbers were already piling up. By 11:00 AM the barrages had stopped and at about 11:30 AM it was said the troops would go over the top and charge the German lines. Many men were praying or handing around a flask of whiskey before they had to face the death that awaited them. At precisely 11:30 AM the whistle was sounded by Sergeant Moresby to go over the top and charge....

When the troops first went over the trench nothing happened, the Germans did not shoot and all the guns were silent across the battlefield. After the brief moment of silence death had come to reap its souls, men were being cut down by the German machine guns and falling down back into the trench while others were hit by artillery shells and thrown into the air. All the men of first platoon were charging together in a scattered mass towards the Germans lines, but when the Germans had noticed them they were hit hard. Private Priddy was hit in the leg by a few machine gun bullets and fell to the ground while on the other side of the field Lance Corporal Smith had been shot in the abdomen by a rifle shot and fell against a piece of wood that was lying in the middle of the field. Private Stark mean while had received some shrapnel to the arms and been shot in the leg, while all the chaos had been going on Edwards was traversing the field and bringing back wounded to the trench. Haig meanwhile and his team were carrying a machine gun across the field to set it up and provide covering fire while he team was not doing so well Haig had the machine gun set up and was firing at the German trenches. Private Holliday, Private Wood and Private Akehurst had gotten together and were lying next to a piece of wood for cover, Akehurst had a Belgian flag wrapped around his rifle which many thought was peculiar but thought nothing of it. Looking over the side of the log though Akehurst saw Smith on the other side. Private Holliday and Private Wood had agreed that Akehurst carry Smith back to the lines and proceeded to drag him through the field until he reached the trenches.

The battle was not going well across all front at the moment with most of the attacks being beaten back with ease like the British had done at Mons. At 6:00 PM the Germans first trench was captured with heavy casualties but a lot of spoils to be gained within. Fightmaster had been noticed as well in the trench unscathed with his rifle on his back and his claymore in his hands covered in red. When asked about it he replied "Tis nothin but a bit of ze German tomatoes".Behind the front lines men were being accounted for and what had happened to them during the battle. Private Watkins had a little bit of Shrapnel in his hand but that was fixed by a simple bandage, Tenenbaum had only some bruises and scratches but some of the platoons members were unaccounted for during the day. Davison and Haig were both missing when all was trying to be organized following the days battle. Anyone else not on the front line were in field hospitals or simply dead as was the case with the rest of Haigs team except Smythe who was stale and improving in his condition. All of the other men depending on the wounds they had were in various conditions so far. Smith was in deteriorating condition while Priddy was the same as well. Stark was stable for now but no signs of deterioration or improvement at all. Most the second day consisted of attacks on other sides of the German lines and trying to reach the break in the German lines. Most of this portion of the line rested and dug into the new part of the line that was once the Germans. By the end of the second day some minor breaks had been made by the French but nothing substantial and so the begining of the Battle of the Marne begun.